Memory Care

IS IT RIGHT FOR YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE?

Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or another kind of memory impairment is often too challenging for a normal caregiver.

When you notice your senior family member experiencing memory loss or difficulty performing daily activities, you may want to consider more serious care options.

[According to the Alzheimer’s Association, five million United States citizens have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Due to the fact that there is not a cure yet, it is not going away any time soon. There are several forms of dementia that are all painful to watch a loved one succumb to.]

If you are the primary caregiver to a loved one with dementia, it can certainly be stressful; however, trusting someone else to give proper care to your family member may feel even more difficult.

There are a variety of excellent senior care facilities that are focused solely on memory care needs; their team of staff members are all professionally trained in caring for residents with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia on top of offering nursing and personal care.

At home, you have the peace of mind knowing that your loved one is being treated with care and respect, but rest assured that the trained, professional staff at memory care communities across the country are dedicated to recreating a comfortable environment for each of their patients. Keep in mind that these senior living communities are able to be a safe and homey environment for your loved one.

Learn more below about what these types of facilities are like, the services offered, and how to find the right short-term or long-term care community for your loved one at Select Senior Communities. 

What is Memory Care?

Memory care units, also called dementia or Alzheimer’s facilities, are a type of residential care home for older adults requiring specialized care.

These communities are designed to prevent Alzheimer’s residents from wandering and subsequent injury. Many of the care clinics mimic a real neighborhood to give individuals a sense of community and familiarity.

Memory care facilities provide safe and secure round-the-clock supervision for patients with dementia. They also offer high-quality medical care services, rich social activities, and a variety of amenities to meet every resident’s needs.

Other Forms of Memory Care

Not all memory care takes place in stand-alone facilities dedicated to memory care programs. There are varying types of residential care for patients who need Alzheimer’s or dementia care:

Does Your Loved One Need Memory Care Services?

Keep these questions in mind as you interact with your loved one. The answers to these can help your family member’s care staffing team with issues in a safe and timely manner.

• Does your loved one require help with mobility? Do they use a wheelchair or walker?
• Does your loved one require help with hygiene, such as toileting and bathing?
• Has their personality changed quickly or recently?
• Are they displaying depression, aggression, anxiety, or sadness?
• Does their memory loss continue to worsen?
• Are they constantly wandering or trying to escape the home?
• Is home care no longer enough?

Features of Alzheimer’s Facilities

• Private or semi-private rooms
• Three daily meals (often in a restaurant-style dining room) plus snacks
• Help with medication management
• 24/7 assistance with activities, hygiene, and mobility
• Occupational, cognitive, mental, and physical therapies
• Opportunities for socialization to improve quality of life
• Exercise and wellness programs
• Laundry, housekeeping, custodial care, and maintenance

Pricing for long-term memory care can seem cost-prohibitive for many families because of the cost of living and eldercare services required.However, that does not mean it is impossible. 

Many caregiving facilities are willing to work with families whenever possible. There are many payment options that can help your loved one suffering from dementia.

Some residents choose private pay, allowing them to avoid headaches, paperwork, and time on waiting lists. Besides tapping into Social Security income, you may also tap into investments, savings, profits from selling a home, and life insurance.

Long-term care insurance can also help you pay for memory care, however, this care must be purchased years before you ever need the services.

Medicare can offer very limited assistance with different restrictions. Medicaid as well as other state programs have benefits that can vary, but they may be able to assist low-income seniors in need of memory care.

Veteran’s benefits and grants are another type of option for paying for Alzheimer’s care.

Things to look for within a Memory Care Retirement Community

Choosing a facility for your loved one can be hard, but if you do your due diligence, you will be able to find a place that meets their needs as well as cares for them in a supportive manner. When touring a facility, ask these questions:

• What type of training does the staff have? Do you do background checks on all team members?
• What kind of round-the-clock care is implemented?
• How do you keep patients safe?
• What’s the ratio of staff to residents?
• Who is on duty and when? 
• When is a registered nurse on call?
• Which kinds of medical services are offered on-site?
• How are emergency situations handled?
• Are the building and grounds secured?
• What are the housing units like and how are they secured and kept safe?
• How do you handle bedridden, incontinent, or aggressive residents?
• What kind of therapies are provided? Do you have mental health counseling?
• How often do residents get to participate in socialization activities?
• How often do residents get to exercise indoors and outdoors?
• How are you able to meet the needs of a patient with multiple conditions?